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Psychiatry residents at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital have the opportunity to serve their communities through elective outpatient clinic rotations in the Pittsburgh area. The Birmingham Free Care Clinic provides primary and acute medical care and other services for patients without health insurance. 

We spoke with Camille Tastenhoye, MD (PGY3), Daniel Salahuddin, MD, MPH (PGY4), and Jamie Farquhar, MD (PGY3), who were eager to discuss their experiences working with underserved populations at the Birmingham Clinic.

What are your clinical/professional interests and goals?

Camille Tastenhoye, MD (PGY3): After finishing my training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry here at UPMC, I will complete a forensics fellowship. For psychiatry residents the Birmingham Clinic is a unique clinical setting that is unlike our other training experiences. It is a true community site with a particularly vulnerable patient population who would not be able to seek psychiatric care otherwise. 

Daniel Salahuddin, MD, MPH (PGY4): I’m training in family medicine psychiatry because I’m interested in providing holistic care for patients. Patients from marginalized communities tend to have more complex needs, and therefore benefit from having physical health and mental health addressed in similar contexts. I ultimately intend to work at the intersection of primary care, mental health, and public health as a means to improve health outcomes and to promote wellness and healing in Black and Brown communities.  

Jamie Farquhar, MD (PGY3): I am interested in integrated care and at Birmingham their primary care physicians are the first line of care for most patients, then they refer to us when there are questions about a medication or a diagnosis. And I appreciate the chance to provide care for under- and un-insured patients in Pittsburgh.

What were your days like at the Birmingham Clinic?

Camille Tastenhoye, MD (PGY3): I saw patients who had unaddressed or untreated psychiatric problems requiring specialty care. While most of the Birmingham Clinic's patients are uninsured, many are undocumented as well, making it particularly difficult for them to obtain the care they need.

Daniel Salahuddin, MD, MPH (PGY4): I saw patients for evaluation and follow-up. While the Birmingham Clinic is great for medication adjustments, it unfortunately does not have the capacity to provide ongoing therapy. That said, I was able to provide continuity during my time there, and certainly had patients who I saw multiple times and with whom I developed a good rapport.

Jamie Farquhar, MD (PGY3): Some patients would come in with anxiety and depression—especially related to the COVID pandemic because many of our Birmingham patients had been laid off from work. Sometimes patients who were experiencing psychosis, mania, sleep problems, anger control issues, or substance use disorders would come in and we would help where we could and refer them elsewhere if necessary.

What are your thoughts on the value of our collaboration with the Birmingham Clinic?

Camille Tastenhoye, MD (PGY3): It is an experience that I think should be available to more residents—these patients have a clear need and are especially at risk given their myriad psychosocial difficulties. Providing them with treatment at little to no cost was an invaluable learning experience. 

Daniel Salahuddin, MD, MPH (PGY4): The Birmingham Clinic improves patient access to healthcare, which is so critical, yet undervalued in our society. I particularly appreciated being able to work in a multidisciplinary environment where I collaborated with other providers.

Jamie Farquhar, MD (PGY3): I am so glad that WPH works with Birmingham clinic. It is a great way for us to reach patients who might not be able to come to us otherwise. I would love to see WPH continue to branch out and work with uninsured and underinsured patients in other communities as well. 

Thank you for talking with us!